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Only 20 percent of American teenagers are getting enough sleep

Written by: David Castillo on March 18th, 2010

Only 20 percent of American teenagers are getting enough sleep | read this item

Many American teenagers are unaware of the dangers of sleep disorders. And, because of their happy-go-lucky lifestyle, teenagers are in serious threat.

Most teenagers drive when their drowsy, stay up late, and even doze off during class. Statistics suggest that more than 79 percent of American teenagers are not getting enough sleep.

Studies show that more teenagers than adults are affected by sleep deprivation. Most teenagers spend long hours listening to music, chatting with friends, and finishing home work. This is an unhealthy lifestyle.

Sleep deprivation is often linked to depression, as well as cardiovascular and dietary complications.

By sleeping late and waking up early for class, most teenagers get an average of five to six hours of sleep a night. And this is not an ideal situation for a teenager (the number of ideal sleep hours are different for different age groups).

Aside from physical and psychological effects, sleep disorders can also cause memory loss. This is critical for teenagers, who need all their memory for school.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, only a fifth of American teenagers are getting enough sleep.

Here are some tips to improve a teenager’s sleeping habits:
•   Arrange a schedule for sleep
•   Avoid sugar, caffeine, and nicotine during night time
•   Eat healthy and exercise
•   Fix the room—make it more comfortable

Source: my.hsj.org

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